Mark Cuban: Phil Jackson is 'first housewife of the Lakers'

Apr. 3, 2013
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Phil Jackson (left) and Jeannie Buss stand with Los Angeles Lakers former player Shaquille O'Neal as his jersey is retired during a half time ceremony during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban always enjoyed zinging Phil Jackson when he was the Los Angeles Lakers' coach. Even though Jackson has retired, that hasn't changed.

On hand for his team's 101-81 loss to the Lakers at Staples Center Tuesday night, where Jackson joined girlfriend and Lakers executive vice president Jeanie Buss to honor Shaquille O'Neal, Cuban got the following dig in at his rival's former leader.

"I have great respect for Phil too, Jeanie's husband as he'll now be known," Cuban said, referencing Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' executive vice president and governor who votes on issues at owners' meetings. "Someone's got to be the first housewife of the Lakers."

Cuban went on to praise Jackson's "wit and intelligence," noting that he told the Zen Master not to retire after the Mavericks beat the Lakers in the 2011 NBA playoffs.

It's not the first time the Mavs' owner has spoken about Jackson's relationship. After Jackson commented on then Mavs' forward Caron Butler's season-ending injury in January 2011, Cuban lashed out to ESPN Dallas.

"I love that Jeanie Buss' boy-toy had something to say about us," he said at the time. "I don't know if it was his thought or Jeanie's thought, but it's nice to know that she lets him speak in public about other teams."